MANCHESTER City striker Carlos Tevez looks likely to miss Sunday’s derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Argentina star was desperate to feature against his old club United after his controversial summer move to City.

However, he was always a doubt once he injured his knee on World Cup duty against Brazil last week.

The Argentina medical staff claimed Tevez would be out of action for three weeks but City boss Mark Hughes vowed to give the former Boca Juniors star every chance to face his old club as his side look to maintain their 100% record.

With Robinho out with an ankle problem and Emmanuel Adebayor set to miss the Premier League game as well now he has been charged with violent conduct for his tackle on Robin van Persie last Saturday, Tevez’s presence was even more important.

However, club doctor Jamie Butler has been warned Tevez is unlikely to have recovered in time.

"He is back here today and we’ll assess it from there, but he is very doubtful," City assistant boss Mark Bowen said.

"What we are hearing is that it’s probably going to keep him out, but until the doctor assesses him hands-on we don’t really know.

"The boss has been in contact with the Argentina medical team, as has our medical team.

"But the signs are not encouraging. We wouldn’t 100% rule him out yet - fingers crossed and we are always hopeful, but it’s very doubtful."

And, while Roque Santa Cruz might have given a glimmer of hope after finally starting training following knee surgery he had before a £17million switch from Blackburn, Bowen cannot see the Paraguayan making it either.

"I doubt he will be available very much, but it’s nice to see him back anyway," he said.